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Creamy Basil Chicken Skillet with Parmesan Basil Cream Sauce

Savor the mouthwatering combination of juicy chicken, creamy Alfredo sauce, and fragrant fresh basil in this Creamy Basil Chicken recipe. 

It's a great recipe for an easy weeknight dinner when you need to have dinner on the table in half an hour or less.

Plus, as written, it's low-carb, keto-friendly, and a Trim Healthy Mama S fuel!

Creamy Basil Chicken skillet

Creamy Basil Chicken, also known as chicken in basil cream, is a delightful fusion of flavors that makes it a standout dish in any kitchen.

This recipe combines the earthy essence of basil with the creaminess of heavy cream and cream cheese, resulting in a creamy sauce that perfectly complements the tender chicken (almost like an Alfredo sauce).

Whether you're a fan of basil, cream sauces, or simply looking for a comforting meal, this recipe has something for everyone. 

Making Creamy Basil Chicken recipe: Step by step

Let's break down the recipe and understand how to create this mouthwatering dish. We'll go through each step, making sure you have all the information you need to make this easy chicken dish in your own kitchen.

1. Seasoning the Chicken

The first step in creating this recipe is to season the chicken. This simple step adds depth and flavor to the dish.

Season both sides of your boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts with a combination of garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Feel free to add salt and pepper if you like, as well!

This step sets the stage for the rich flavors that will follow.

2. Browning the Chicken

Next, heat up your iron skillet and add the chicken to the pan.

Brown the chicken with a small amount of oil until it's cooked through. The browning process not only enhances the visual appeal of the dish but also adds a layer of flavor to the chicken.

3. Preparing the Creamy Sauce

While your chicken is cooking, it's time to prepare the creamy basil sauce.

In a sauce-pot, melt the softened cream cheese and butter over medium heat. Whisk these ingredients together until they become smooth and creamy.

This forms the base of your indulgent sauce.

4. Adding flavorful ingredients: heavy cream, parmesan, and chicken broth

Now, it's time to amp up the flavor! To the creamy mixture, add chicken broth, whipping cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and a bit of salt. 

These ingredients come together to create a luscious, velvety sauce that will coat your chicken beautifully. It's the special touch in this recipe!

5. The star ingredient: Fresh basil

No Creamy Basil Chicken would be complete without fresh basil. Add chopped fresh basil to your sauce and stir until it's thoroughly combined.

The basil brings a fresh, aromatic element to the dish.

6. Combining boneless chicken and basil cream sauce

With the sauce ready and the chicken cooked to perfection, remove the chicken from the skillet and drain any excess drippings.

Return the chicken to the pan, and then pour the creamy basil sauce over the top. This step ensures that every piece of chicken is coated in the delectable sauce.

Frequently asked questions about creamy chicken with basil sauce

Now that we've covered the basics, let's address some common questions that you may have while preparing this chicken recipe.

1. Can I use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?

Absolutely! You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts in this recipe. They will work just as well, and the creamy basil sauce will complement them beautifully, but the cooking time will be different.

To help the chicken cook even faster, you could cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise, season chicken with the spices mentioned in the recipe card, then add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until chicken is cooked through.

2. What can I serve with Creamy Basil Chicken?

This dish pairs wonderfully with various side dishes. Consider serving it with pasta or mashed potatoes (if you are not worried about carbs), or a fresh cucumber tomato salad for a complete meal.

3. Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?

While fresh basil adds a vibrant flavor, dried basil can be used as a substitute if that's what you have on hand.

Just remember to adjust the quantity to your taste.

4. Can I add sun dried tomatoes for a creamy tomato basil sauce?

Yes, you can add sun-dried tomatoes to your dish. They can add a rich, sweet, and tangy flavor to your recipe. Just be sure to adjust the seasonings and other flavors in the dish to complement the addition of sun dried tomatoes. 

5. Can I use half and half in place of the heavy whipping cream?

Yes, you can sub half and half instead of cream, but it likely won't be as creamy.

6. How can I use leftover chicken in basil cream?

You can use the leftover chicken in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas that I'm glad to share:
1. Make a pasta dish: Toss the chicken with cooked pasta, and then stir the cream sauce into the mixture. This creates a creamy, flavorful pasta dish. If you want, you can stir in basil for added freshness.
2. Use chicken as a filling for sandwiches or wraps: Shred the chicken and mix it with the cream. Then, spread it on bread or wrap it in a tortilla for a delicious and easy lunch option.
3. Make a creamy chicken and rice dish: Mix the leftover chicken with cooked rice and stir in the basil cream sauce. This creates a simple and satisfying one-pot meal. 

If you can't wait to try this recipe, why not try it for dinner tonight? It's an absolutely delicious recipe and an easy way to get dinner on the table in less than half an hour!

More easy chicken recipes:

French Onion Chicken Skillet

Grilled Sesame Chicken Thighs

Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu

Easy Keto Cashew Chicken

Creamy Basil Chicken

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 7

Calories: 427kcal

Equipment

• 1 Iron Skillet

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Ingredients

• 2 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs or chicken breasts
• 1 8 ounce Block of Cream Cheese softened
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• ½ Cup Chicken Broth
• ½ Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• ¼ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese from the green can
• ¼ Teaspoon Mineral Salt
• ¼ Cup Fresh Chopped Basil lightly packed
• Garlic Powder and Italian Seasoning to taste

Instructions

• Season chicken on both sides with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
• In a skillet, brown chicken with a small amount of oil until cooked through.
• Meanwhile, in a sauce-pot, melt softened cream cheese and butter. Whisk with a whisk until smooth.
• Add chicken broth, whipping cream, Parmesan, and salt to cream cheese mixture.
• Add chopped fresh basil to sauce and stir until combined.
• Remove chicken from skillet, and drain drippings.
• Return chicken to pan, and pour sauce over top.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Chicken Thighs | Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 33g

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